AUSTRALIA—GERMANY WORKSHOP ON BIODIVERSITY

The Shine Dome, 13-17 March 2006

Outlook towards the 7th EU-Framework Program
by Dr Matthias Hack and Dr Gerold Heinrichs, International Bureau BMBF, presented by
Dr Gerold Heinrichs

The International Office of the Federal Ministry of Education and Research is the project management agency contracted to administer the ministry’s funding measures. It specialises in international cooperation on behalf of the ministry and incorporates a European Union Office, which consults on EU issues.

As a German governmental funding agency, the International Office would like to see an increase in German participation in all Framework Programs, especially the upcoming No. 7, in cooperation with the best researchers from around the world.

As part of the Lisbon Strategy of European countries, the Framework Program No. 7 (FP7) aims to construct a world-leading knowledge-based society by 2010 using investment in research and development of up to 3 per cent of GDP.

Within the FP7, there are four major programs: ‘Cooperation’ involves collaborative research projects and networks; ‘Ideas’ will be organised by the European Research Council and is directed at basic sciences; ‘People’ involves the personal exchange program ‘Marie Curie’, which is open to Australians; while ‘Capacity’ is targeted at the funding of large research facilities in Europe. The other programs are not open to Australian researchers; however, Australians can apply for a ‘Marie Curie’ scholarship.

As a member of the OECD, Australia is a recognised partner for European countries and cooperation is based on a 1999 joint declaration. From 2003 to 2006, €4.5 million was given within a specific program to strengthen local EU centres. The Forum for European-Australian Science and Technology Cooperation (FEAST) is part of that program.

The bilateral cooperation being discussed today could be seen as a kind of gateway to Europe, which might also open doors in Australia. Any Australian researcher can try to access a European consortium with its partner in Germany or other countries on a subcontractual basis.

The German International Office can fund, for example, exploratory visits on a unilateral basis, joint conferences and workshops or any kind of awareness-building event. It can also present applications in Brussels.

The specific requirements for Australian-EU cooperation are scientific excellence and a contribution to specific problems in Third World countries. Projects should also explore potential markets for European products.

It is important for Australia to make use of excellent opportunities for cooperation with Germany to enter European research and development networks. For Germany, it is of principal interest to strengthen its lead position in global research and development through cooperation with the world’s best scientists and institutions outside Europe.